Marvel Legends Archangel, Neo Classic Iron Man & Dr. Doom

I'm really happy with my LCS, he was able to set aside an Archangel figure for me, which was the only figure in the Marvel Legends Hit Monkey wave I was really after. Since most of my toy budget is going to Mattel, I really can't afford to get any other toyline, and have to really "cherry pick" these Marvel figures.

The package art is pretty good, kinda reminds me of what they are doing with DC Infinite Earths subs, that is, having painted artwork on their packaging.

Without a doubt, this is the best rendition of Archangel so far! Hasbro has really step up in giving us better action figures, nice articulation, great paints! 

Comparison with the old Toybiz Archangel. I'm trying to limit my figures to a certain era in comics, that's really one way for me to limit my purchase.

I also pick up Neo Classic Iron Man and Dr. Doom from the Epic Heroes wave earlier in the month. Originally I was going to pass on Iron Man, but at $10 it was just too cheap to pass up. Same with Dr. Doom, his paint is so much superior to the old FF "Ronan" wave Dr. Doom, but at $15, I went for it and I'm glad I did.

Here's Iron Man compared with a DCIE figure. He is quite small. I just wish he came with extra hands.

MOTUC MINI COMICS The Secret Origin of Skeletor

Just finish reading the mini-comics and its pretty good. It basically shows what we already know about skeletor and how he rose to power.

What's new to me was Keldor having a child with Evil Lyn....and I wonder who that other Skeletor  with the green hair is suppose to be. Maybe a Villain for He-ro? The comic really shows what a big influence the Mike Young cartoon to the overall MOTU history.

MOTUC RAM MAN, JITSU, DCIE PHANTOM STRANGER

I'm pretty happy with getting a subscription to the Matty Collector website, gone are the days of login in at 12 noon just to buy toys! Last year I got only the DCIE sub, and around August last year decided to backtrack MOTU. I ended up paying more for the separate shipping. What I paid last year on shipping is nothing compared to what I'm paying this year. What Mattel is charging is just a complete rip-off, and I'm glad if the line can finish its run in the next year or so because frankly, collecting these suckers is just too much!

Ram Man is okay, but for me the real gem is probably Jitsu! I really love they went with the Staction face sculpt, really shows how good the 4 Horsemen can be if they sculpted these figures in their vision.

Phantom Stranger is okay, except for the large chain he has on his neck. He looks like a rapper! Here he is in comparision with John Constantine. Both figures do not have any accesories at all, and it's probably cheaper to buy them at a toyshow or from a HK ebay seller than from Matty Collector. Their shipping charge is just criminal!

Kumik Jessica Alba Max Guevara 1/6 custom figure DARK ANGEL

When I got into 1/6 hobby, the one figure I always wanted them to make was from Dark Angel. Sadly they never made any figure other than the 6" figure from Art Asylum. Those figures were really nice, particularly the one that came with the bike, and the head sculpt was pretty good...for something that was done 10 years ago.

About 2 years ago I started gathering parts for a Max Guevara custom. Like many newbies I made some mistakes with my purchases, but overall I pretty happy with the way the figure turn out.

 

Here's the recipe for my custom:

- Head - the excellent Kumik Jessica Alba

- Hair/Wig - from Kumik's Maggie Q (the only Kumik head with jet black hair)

- Body - Hot Toys Caucasian female

- Shirt - Hot Toys Sarah Conners

- Jackets - Dollsfigure

- Pants - Ken's Harley-Davidson pants from Barbie. 

- Boots - Triad Biker boots 

- Bike - ZC Girl Rosanna - Pale version

 I was fortunate to get the bike on ebay. I got it just as supplies for this bike was starting to disappear.

The jacket is a good fit, but the sleeves are a little long. I have since manage to fold the sleeves inwards, so they look pretty good now. I just wish the zipper works...and that the jacket has the same material as the pants, which I really like!

Really love the pants, its an excellent fit, and really love the flare. The neck is a bit long, so I might need to do something about it.

One interesting this is, the first Kumik head I got had a bit of an Asian skin tone in it, a perfect fit for the Kumik body. The new head I got has a perfect skin tone match to the Hot Toys caucasian body.

Overall, so happy to finally have a Max Guevarra Dark Angel figure on my shelf!

Kid Flash from the 6" Young Justice toyline

Got this Kid Flash figure recently from an ebay seller in HK. Normally I don't like buying figures from HK, but lately the ones I have gotten are pretty decent, good paint job, tight joints...heck some are even better than the ones I buy from Mattycollector! 

I had bought an earlier Kid Flash figure, but this one came with the goggles which I wanted since that was what he had in the cartoon.

You can adjust it a little to have his googles up.

I'm just a little annoyed they use the old Kid Flash body from series 7! That body is just way too short...heck he is even smaller than Artemis. The costume isn't also very accurate since he had some shoulder pads in the cartoon.

Right now official release of  Kid Flash and Batman are a bit affordable on ebay, but I think I'm gonna pass on them. I really don't feel I need the base for Kid Flash, and I think I can live without the rooftop diorama for batman. I could always just put Batman next to the old Mattel Batsignal and he looks I think.

With crazy insane shipping prices Matty Collector is charging collectors these days, HK and China ebay sellers are really a good alternative for toy collectors!

Phicen Female Large Breast Seamless figure

Well after hanging around the various 1/6 message boards I finally decided to pick up my first Phicen seamless figure.

I was thinking of getting the tan version but settled for the safe Hot Toys skin tone figure. The figure looks excellent, and I really wanted to upgrade my Sin City Nancy Callahan custom figure I made a couple months back. Sadly, I find the Nancy head I got is a bit small when place on the Phicen body. The Phicen has a really thick neck and broad shoulders that made my head look pretty small.

However I think the body will look good with maybe a Hot Toys Black Widow or Babydoll head. Sadly, those 2 actress are not my favorite, so I might just sell off this Phicen body...or wait for another great head that might fit the body.

Here's a comparison shot between a Hot Toys, Phicen and Kumik body. I think Hot Toys still has the best body in the market, however I feel it can't fit a lot of the clothes availalble on ebay. Kumik's body on the other hand is too thin, but its an excellent body if you use  Barbie clothes on it.

Here's the Phicen body with a Hot Toys head. Pretty good I fit I think, and overall it would have been better if they added a heeled feet with the set, but at $67 shipped via ebay, it's not a bad figure.

JACK KIRBY'S OMAC

I'm actually pretty bored with the comics that are coming out from DC. The New 52 just isn't for me. I chance upon this Omac book from my LCS and I'm really happy I got it. The art is superb, Kirby is one of those artist I took for granted growing up, but looking at his work now, he is really such an accomplish artist. 

I'm also happy to see they reprinted issue #7, which I read maybe 30 years ago. Good stuff!

A lot of his page layout, action sequences, special effects are copies by most of today's artist.

The story is also ahead of its time, Im just sad Kirby was not able to complete the series!

Toronto Comicon 2013

The first comic convention for 2013 here in Toronto! I'm really happy I finally got to meet the Legendary MIKE ZECK! His line was quite long and it was a long wait, considering he was not doing any sketches at the event! Still glad to ask him questions on Secret Wars, really nice to hear his stories. Marvel should give this guy some more work!

MIke was kind enough to sign my Secret Wars and my Kraven the Last Hunt book.

Also met Mark Texeira! I cannot believe how fast this guy draws! A real talent and another guy I wish would get more work!

Joe Jusko! Marvel Masterpiece is still one of my favorite card set back when trading cards were popular. Joe told me he did all 100 cards within 3 months! Simply amazing!

Mike Mckone and Lee Weeks

Lee Weeks Hulk sketch

Joe Jusko panel with Renee Witterstaetter (whom I recognize just because John Byrne included her in the She-Hulk comics). 

As expected Patrick Stewart had the longest line among all the TNG cast members that were on the con.

Overall the con was great, got lots of bargains, just wish the venue was a bit bigger.